Forsythia plant named `Fiesta`

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Forsythia having distinctive variegated foliage a slower growth rate and a denser growth habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct selection of Forsythia, named Forsythia cultivar Forsythia×intermedia `Fiesta` which I discovered in a group of Forsythia×intermedia `Lynwood` at Farmington Valley Nursery, 138 Waterville Road, Avon, Conn. in 1977.

Among the novel characteristics of this new variety which distinguish it from `Lynwood` and from other varieties of which I am aware are:

(a) `Fiesta` exhibits unusually attractive tricolor variegated foliage;

(b) `Fiesta` exhibits unusually attractive pale yellow flowers;

(c) `Fiesta` exhibits a slower growth rate than the `Lynwood`;

(d) `Fiesta` has a spreading habit, in contrast to `Lynwood` which has a vase habit that eventually weeps and `Fiesta` has a shorter internode length than `Lynwood`; and

(e) The fall color of the foliage of `Fiesta` lacks purple blotches which characterize the fall coloration of `Lynwood`.

The blooming dates, blooming pattern, i.e. an equal distribution of flowers along the stem, bark and lentcels of `Fiesta` are substantially the same as those of the `Fiesta`.

There are no mature specimens of `Fiesta` as of the filing of the present application. The above comparisons were made between two plants, i.e.:

a specimen of Forsythia×intermedia `Lynwood` and a periclinal chimera sport from a specimen of `Lynwood`, i.e. a specimen of `Fiesta`. Each of the specimens was five years old and grown in a substantially identical root zone volume, i.e. a 2 gallon container. Each of the specimens was pruned annually and the comparisons are therefore based only on current growth.

The new variety `Fiesta` has been propagated solely by taking cuttings. Mound or stool layering has not been used as a propagation technique. Seed set of `Fiesta` has not been observed and it is not known whether `Fiesta` produces viable pollen. Asexual reproduction of `Fiesta` by cutting performed at Farmington Valley Nursery indicates that the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through successive propagations.

The accompanying drawings show a typical specimen of the new variety, depicted in color as nearly true as possible.

FIG. 1 shows the distinctive variegated foliage of the new variety.

FIG. 2 shows the denser growth habit of the new variety.

FIG. 3 shows the flower of the new variety.

Color terminology used herein is in accord with The Horticultural Color Chart, by Robert F. Wilson, Henry Stone & Son, Ltd, 1938 and refers to page and plate numbers in the aforementioned chart.

FLOWER Blooming Habit

A. Bud:

1. Size.--2 mm at base, 3 mm long.

2. Form.--Superposed with auxiliary bud set.

3. Color.--Light tan at base of scale, to dark brown at tip.

4. Sepals.--7 mm, pale white with a green stripe.

5. Peduncle.--Calyx deeply 4 lobed, persistant.

B. Bloom:

1. Size.--Approximately 2-3 cm.

2. Borne.--1-6.

3. Form.--Perfect.

4. Petalage.--4 petals.

5. Color.--Chrome yellow (light), page 93, plate 605/1 to sulfur yellow, page 1, plate #1/3.

C. Petals:

1. Form.--Oblong.

2. Arrangement.--4.

3. Persistence.--2-3 weeks.

4. Fragrance.--Scentless.

PLANT

A. Overall size and habit:

1. Internodal length.--2.2 cm.

B. Foliage

1. Shape.--Ovate-oblong to oblong lanceolate.

2. Base.--Acute to rounded.

3. Tip.--Acute.

4. Margins.--Serrate upper one-half.

5. Width.--2.4 to 4.1 cm.

6. Length.--4.4 to 7.1 cm.

7. Arrangement.--Opposite.

8. Color.--The leaves are variegated and exhibit three distinct hues: (i) The central portion of the leaf is colored spinach green, page 187, plate #09⁶⁰. (ii) The margins of the leaf are colored yellow. The intensity of the yellow color varies with intensity of illumination. The brightest hue exhibited is sulphur yellow, page 1, plate 1/3. The yellow color of the margins in lower intensity light are graduated tints of Barium yellow, page 131, plate #s 50^(3/3), 50^(3/2) and 50^(3/1). (iii) Patches of pod green, plate 120, plate #0^(61/1) are present between the central portion of the leaf and the leaf margin where a layer of yellow mesophyll overlaps a layer of green mesophyll.

Trifoliate leaves do not appear. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Forsythia as substantially shown and described herein, that is characterized particularly as a novelty by the unique combination of distinct foliage construction, pale yellow flowers, slow growth rate, reduced internodal length and a denser branching habit. 